Wales Announce Squads For French Test

4 March 2004 10:52

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The Welsh Women's Rugby Union have announced their squad to face France on Friday night at the Cardiff Arms Park (KO 7.15pm) Captained by Flanker, Melissa Berry, there have been three changes to the starting line up as they look to continue their winning form having beaten Ireland two weeks ago in Limerick.

Emma Phillips returns to the squad at Number 8 with Kylie Wilson reverting to the Openside Flank. Stacey Saunders retains the Fly Half position with Awen Thomas still on the injury list and Under 19 Full Back Elen Evans gets her second cap with Non Evans likely to be out for the season with a shoulder injury.

Lowri Jones earns her first ever start in the centre for the seniors, having impressed when she came on off the bench against Ireland, with veteran centre Louise Rickard on the bench. Ayla Rose passed a late fitness test to be named in the starting line up along side fellow second row Kath Foale.

Jenny Davies steps up from the Development squad having converted from Prop to Hooker this season and will hope to get on from the bench.

France are undefeated in this year's championship having beaten Spain and Ireland convincingly in the first two rounds. It will be a real test for the young Welsh side, with the average age only 23 the focus of this year's tournament is developing players for the Next World Cup.

Head Coach Phil John commented, "Our main aim as a squad is to develop for 2006. We have some outstanding youngsters and, encouraged by the more experienced players, they have stepped up their game to match some extremely tough competition. We are very pleased with the progress of the whole squad and we look to build on this with every game."

The Development squad face France A at Llanrumney at 2.30pm on Friday. Captained for the second time by Flanker Catrina Nicolas, the squad will be looking to continue their unbeaten record, having beaten Scotland U23s 66-0 two weeks ago. The Welsh side have only lost one game in the last two years losing narrowly to France A in Paris last season.

Seven Under 19 players make the squad with five in the starting line up including half-back pairing Amy Day and Paula Mullen. Scrum half Kerry Jenkins makes a welcome return to the Welsh setup and starts on the bench. Sam Mason, Ruth Copeland and Phillippa Tuttiet are all named in the squad for the first time.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland revealed that he was satisfied with the two wins from four games during the autumn's Under Armour Series. WRU TV recaps the matches against Australia, Georgia, New Zealand and South Africa.

The All Blacks may be missing their captain Kieran Read, but Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde is wary of the world champions as they will want to finish their year on a positive note and maintain their unbeaten streak on tour.

Rhys Webb is 'over the moon' to be be starting this weekend as Wales seek a rare victory against New Zealand but the Ospreys scrum half is confident of a positive result so long as his team can stay in the game and concentrate fully for 80 minutes.

Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde, No 8 Seb Davies and captain Dan Lydiate believe there is enough experience and potential within the squad to brush aside the challenge of Georgia tomorrow at Principality Stadium.